Channel Routing Entrance and Exits

Abstract

A channel routing entrance and exit is provided by a channel insert component that enables the passing of one or more elongated objects into or out of a channel. The channel insert component includes an opening configured to receive the one or more elongated objects. The opening is defined by one or more radiused edges that mitigate abrasion of the one or more elongated objects. The channel insert component also includes a notch configured to detachably secure the channel insert component to a protrusion of the channel. The channel insert component also includes a gap along the opening disposed between one or more cantilevers that are flexible from an initial shape to widen the gap, enabling the one or more elongated objects to fit through the gap into the opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A channel insert component for passing one or more elongated objects into or out of a channel, the channel insert component comprising:
 an opening through an anterior face of the channel insert component, the opening configured to receive the one or more elongated objects, the opening defined by one or more radiused edges between the anterior face and a posterior face of the channel insert component, the one or more radiused edges configured to mitigate abrasion of the one or more elongated objects;   a notch in the channel insert component configured to detachably secure the channel insert component to a protrusion of the channel; and   a gap across a lateral face of the channel insert component along the opening, the gap disposed between one or more cantilevers of the lateral face, the one or more cantilevers being flexible from an initial shape to widen the gap and enable the one or more elongated objects to fit through the gap and into or out of the opening, the one or more cantilevers being resilient to return to the initial shape.   
     
     
         2 . The channel insert component of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion of the channel is integrally connected with and perpendicular to a sidewall of the channel, the sidewall integrally connected to a baseplate of the channel, and wherein the notch is defined by an anterior ridge and a posterior ridge, the anterior ridge spacing the one or more elongated objects apart from an edge of the protrusion of the channel. 
     
     
         3 . The channel insert component of  claim 2 , wherein the posterior ridge includes an angled portion facing the notch such that the channel insert component can be removed from the channel by pushing the channel insert component towards an outside of the channel from inside of the channel. 
     
     
         4 . The channel insert component of  claim 2 , wherein the anterior ridge is a flat rectangular protrusion. 
     
     
         5 . The channel insert component of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion of the channel is a sidewall of the channel that is integrally connected to a baseplate of the channel, and wherein the notch of the channel insert component includes one or more edge clips configured to retain a portion of the sidewall in the notch. 
     
     
         6 . The channel insert component of  claim 1 , wherein the channel insert component is composed of a thermoplastic elastomer material. 
     
     
         7 . The channel insert component of  claim 1 , wherein the channel insert component is composed of a material having a durometer providing mitigation of abrasion of the one or more elongated objects. 
     
     
         8 . The channel insert component of  claim 7 , wherein the durometer of the material of the channel insert component is within a range of 55 to 65. 
     
     
         9 . The channel insert component of  claim 1 , wherein a width of the one or more radiused edges of the channel insert component is wider than the protrusion of the channel. 
     
     
         10 . The channel insert component of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more radiused edges of the channel insert component have a radius of at least one-eighth of an inch. 
     
     
         11 . The channel insert component of  claim 1 , wherein the notch is a first notch, the protrusion of the channel is a first protrusion, and the channel insert component further comprises a second notch configured to detachably secure the channel insert component to a second protrusion of the channel. 
     
     
         12 . The channel insert component of  claim 1 , wherein a posterior side of the channel insert component has a structure configured to increase rigidity of the channel insert component. 
     
     
         13 . The channel insert component of  claim 1 , wherein the channel is a raceway-type channel and the protrusion of the channel is perpendicular to a sidewall of the channel. 
     
     
         14 . The channel insert component of  claim 1 , wherein the opening of the channel insert component is open-ended towards the protrusion of the channel. 
     
     
         15 . A channel assembly for routing elongated objects, comprising:
 a channel including a baseplate integrally connected to a first sidewall and a second sidewall of the channel, a first protrusion of the channel being integrally connected with and perpendicular to the first sidewall, a second protrusion of the channel being integrally connected with and perpendicular to the second sidewall, the baseplate configured to mount to a piece of machinery; and   a channel insert component comprising:
 an opening through an anterior face of the channel insert component configured to receive one or more elongated objects, the opening defined by one or more radiused edges between the anterior face and a posterior face of the channel insert component, the one or more radiused edges configured to mitigate abrasion of the one or more elongated objects during operation of the machinery or during vibration or other movement of the one or more radiused edges against the one or more elongated objects; 
 a first notch and a second notch in the channel insert component configured to detachably secure the channel insert component to the channel, the first notch configured to receive the first protrusion and resist movement of the first protrusion out of the first notch, the second notch configured to receive the second protrusion and resist movement of the second protrusion out of the second notch; and 
 a gap across a lateral face of the channel insert component along the opening, the gap disposed between one or more cantilevers of the lateral face, the one or more cantilevers being flexible from an initial shape to widen the gap and enable the one or more elongated objects to fit through the gap and into or out of the opening, the one or more cantilevers being resilient to return to the initial shape. 
   
     
     
         16 . The channel assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the first notch is defined by a first anterior ridge and a first posterior ridge, the first anterior ridge spacing the one or more elongated objects apart from an edge of the first protrusion of the channel, and wherein the first posterior ridge includes an angled portion facing the first notch such that the channel insert component can be removed from the channel by pushing the channel insert component towards an outside of the channel from inside of the channel. 
     
     
         17 . The channel assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the channel insert component is composed of a material having a durometer providing mitigation of abrasion of the one or more elongated objects. 
     
     
         18 . The channel assembly of  claim 15 , wherein a width of the one or more radiused edges of the channel insert component is wider than the first protrusion of the channel. 
     
     
         19 . The channel assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more cantilevers of the lateral face have a flat surface facing the opening. 
     
     
         20 . The channel assembly of  claim 15 , further comprising a channel cover plate detachably secured to the first protrusion and the second protrusion, wherein the channel cover plate includes a detent configured to receive the first protrusion of the channel.